Bunk Carpet replacement

[Kessel Run]

I took the boat out for the first time this last weekend and got a chance to inspect the Bunks and noticed the carpet was warn and split down to the wood in a few spots....not what I wanted to see :bang so now I have to replace the carpet on the bunks. The wood looks to be in good condition so I am not too worried about that. I am not too excited on spending $200 on Marine Grade Bunk Carpet, anyone have any experience with The Home Depot Special carpet? Can you get carpet good enough for bunks at the Home Depot or Lowes? I would suspect they have marine grade indoor outdoor carpet.

What weight should I be looking for? Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Daman858]

You can get boat trailer bunk carpeting on line for a lot less than that price. You must use stainless steel staples or copper ones so they won't rust. Home Depot stuff...no.

 

[family affair]

Try Easternmarine.com.

 

[DennisG01]

Yeah, that's way expensive - although I don't know how much you're replacing. Even most brick and mortar stores should be a lot less than that. Monel is another excellent choice (I think it's even better than SS, but not sure) for staples.

Have you thought about using plastic bunk slicks instead of carpet? They work MUCH better and last a whole bunch longer, too. I'll never go back to carpet.

 

[Daman858]

Dennis, I have the plastic (poly) bunks. They are great! 10 years old, like new.

 

[DennisG01]

Dave - the boat slides on and off almost like rollers, right!

 

[Daman858]

Yes..they have a spay for the plastic bunks. I use it once a year. Smooth as silk!

 

[DennisG01]

Interesting - I have seen a spray for carpets, but never for the plastic. My boats go on and off so smooth with just the plain plastic, I can't imagine how slick it would be with 'lube' on there, too!

 

[trapper]

I don't know much about sliding issues with my 208 on launch , at the ramps where I put in is it usually a float off situation. On retrieving I have only the bow bunks above water and requires only approx. 3 ft. of take up on the winch. I found 10 ft x5 in.lengths of PVC used for dock edging fastened with stainless screws to the top of the bunks works great and NO carpet ware out. Cheers traper

 

[1st grady]

I don't know much about sliding issues with my 208 on launch , at the ramps where I put in is it usually a float off situation. On retrieving I have only the bow bunks above water and requires only approx. 3 ft. of take up on the winch. I found 10 ft x5 in.lengths of PVC used for dock edging fastened with stainless screws to the top of the bunks works great and NO carpet ware out. Cheers traper

Any chance you have a picture of this setup?
I just can't see where you are positioning the pipe. Are you slicing it open and stretching it over the bunk?

 

[DennisG01]

I don't know much about sliding issues with my 208 on launch , at the ramps where I put in is it usually a float off situation. On retrieving I have only the bow bunks above water and requires only approx. 3 ft. of take up on the winch. I found 10 ft x5 in.lengths of PVC used for dock edging fastened with stainless screws to the top of the bunks works great and NO carpet ware out. Cheers traper

Any chance you have a picture of this setup?
I just can't see where you are positioning the pipe. Are you slicing it open and stretching it over the bunk?

Hmmm... I was thinking he meant strips of PVC - sort of like lumber? I would be worried about screw popping if that's the case (especially given that the stuff is very thin). Trapper - just keep a REALLY close eye on that. If I'm thinking of the right stuff, it's not really thick enough to counter sink the screw head far enough. One little screw head sticking up is going to cause you a world of headaches. FYI, there are other types of PVC bunk slicks/boards that are much thicker to allow for enough coutner sinking.

For what it's worth, this is the style I use on 2x6 boards - it wraps around to the sides of the bunks and is screwed in that way.

 

[trapper]

Here it is. http://www.downwindmarine.com/Taylor-P- ... 92220.html http://www.go2marine.com/product/154893 ... ofile.html Used ss screws and washers to reinforce the edging on the bunks. With that profile the screws never get near the hull. Four years now and no issues and very little ware. Occasionally give them a coat of wax to help with any uv damage. Unfortunately at the moment I am sipping "to kill ya" in Mexico for a month but will do my best with some pics on my return to the promised land, Vancouver Island. Cheers trapper

 

[DennisG01]

Trapper - the link didn't work -- but based on what you just said you're drinking, it's understandable!

But I think I understand the type of stuff you have. It's not just a "flat" piece - it has a raised area that the hull will contact, and a lower area where the screws go. These things come in different shapes, but I would guess it has a profile shape something like this: _O_ Or, at least something similar/same idea?

Enjoy the nice weather!

 

[trapper]

OK OK I'll back off on the salt. If you type in Taylor P-Shape Dock Edging - PVC it should come up with right profile of pvc I used.Your diagram of the edging is very close.Not sure why the image of it does not show up as it seems fine on looking a my reply on the site. Then again you may have a point on holiday mode. Cheers trapper

 

[DennisG01]

"P" shape - gotcha - I know the exact stuff you're referring to. It lasts a long, long time.

Yeah, that "salt" can really mess 'ya up!